Doctor Questions

We are always told to write down your list of questions for your doctors and even bring someone to write down the answers. This can be appropriate for when you are first diagnosed with something nasty. But it doesn't hold true for regular follow ups with  your other doctors.

Over the years, I have learned not only to bring a list of doctor questions to appointments. But I have also learn to break it down into as few as possible, into two categories.

Category one is for the list of issues you have noted since last seeing them. For example you had the flu in November for ten days. Or have been under a lot of stress from work recently.

Category two is for as few questions as possible. Like three if you can do it. For example, if you were seeing your cardiologist:

• What was my latest test result and what does that mean?
• What are my treatment options for now?
• What is my prognosis/next steps?

They may sound simple, like in the 'duh' category, but they are the ones you really want to get answered and take note of the answers.

I can't tell you how many times I got to my doctor appointment and have a huge list of questions and only get through the first few. Prioritize. Keep it simple. Your doctor is probably short on time so you can't overwhelm them with too many things at once.

However if you have a huge issue, you need to make sure that is the main topic of your conversation. Its your appointment and you need to make the most of it. So be efficient.